Their personalities have rubbed against each other for a while now. It played out behind the dressing-room door, away from the cameras.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Asked the manager for a private conversation
Moderate
Cause
He cannot continue in his current tactical role. His relationship with the manager is steady but tense. He has already raised this with the manager recently.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Wants to head back home
Serious
Cause
After a long, difficult settling period he is openly hoping for a move home or to a familiar club. (The move took him to a different continent.; He still does not speak the local language.)
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Still struggling to settle into the squad
Moderate
Cause
He has not yet made the connections that come naturally to most signings.
Wants a final homecoming season
Serious
Cause
He is in the late-career window.; A move home or to a favoured club has been linked.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support. A repeated team-talk tone had less impact than usual.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.